For people on a limited budget or those who are determined to preserve the environment, learning how to make homemade carpet cleaner is a must.
Benefits of Homemade Carpet Cleaner
Many traditional commercial carpet cleaners are rather costly and are not great for the environment. Most contain harmful toxins that are released into the air when sprayed on carpets or absorbed into the ground, as in the case of carpet shampoos.
Conversely, homemade carpet cleaning solutions offer an affordable and safe alternative to store-bought chemical-based cleaners. Homemade versions can be environmentally safe and using them can help reduce the amount of toxins you and your family members are exposed to during the course of a normal carpet cleaning routine. Of course, no one product is 100 percent foolproof, which is why it is important for you to test out homemade cleaner on a hidden portion of your carpet before applying it to your entire floor.
How to Make Your Own Carpet Cleaner
Fortunately, most homemade versions of carpet cleaners can be put together with a few simple ingredients and little skill on the part of the cleaner. To make a variety of homemade carpet cleaners on your own, follow these easy directions:
Powder
This powder version of homemade natural carpet cleaner is made with the following ingredients:
- Baking powder
- Cornstarch
- Bay leaves
- Dry potpourri
Mix equal parts of baking powder and cornstarch together, and then add crumbled bay leaves and a couple handfuls of potpourri. Add the ingredients to a covered contained and shake really well. Next, sprinkle the dry mixture on the carpet and leave to sit for at least two hours. Finally, vacuum the carpet to remove the powder cleaner and you will be left with a fresh smelling floor.
Paste
If you are trying to rid your carpet of ground-in stains, then consider making a paste from common kitchen items. Simply combine one-fourth of a cup each of salt, borax and vinegar to make a paste. Next, gently rub the paste into the carpet stain and let sit for a few hours. Then, vacuum as usual.
Shampoo
To make a homemade version of commercial carpet shampoo, combine the following household items:
- Half a cup of Downy fabric softener
- One cup of ammonia
- Approximately one gallon of water
Place the mixture in a spray bottle and apply to carpet. Next, scrub dirty areas, and then wipe up excess with a clean cloth. Finally, vacuum entire carpet to remove any residual dirt and homemade carpet shampoo.
Other Alternatives to Commercial Carpet Cleaners
There is a litany of recipes for homemade carpet cleaner posted on the Internet and printed in books that address ways to clean a variety of different carpet types without breaking the bank. Most call for every day ingredients that are typically found in the kitchen or cleaning closet. For example, some homeowners swear by a straight ammonia and water mixture. Simply combine the two products, apply to your carpet, scrub in with a brush and rinse with a towel soaked in vinegar and water before vacuuming as usual.
Others use a combination of Windex and water to clean high traffic areas of their carpet, while still others create their own homemade carpet cleaning concoctions, such as mixing one scoop of OxiClean, one cup of Febreze and a gallon of very hot water.
Regardless of which homemade cleaner you try, don't forget to spot test it first. Light colored carpets are especially vulnerable to foreign concoctions, so be careful when experimenting with homemade solvents.
